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If you're looking for a Rhode Island zoo to visit during your time in the state,
then you'll want to make a break for the capital city of Providence.
The Roger Williams Park Zoo is the only complete zoo in Rhode Island, and recent
renovations have only served to make it more complete. Among the main projects
that this excellent Rhode Island zoo recently undertook was the expansion of
its polar bear exhibit. Polar bears have long been featured at the Roger Williams
Park Zoo, so it only makes sense that they get some loving attention. This zoo
certainly goes the extra mile when it comes to caring for its animals, and it
has received numerous accolades because of it.

The Roger Williams Park Zoo is one of the top attractions in Rhode Island, and it's an especially ideal place for families to visit. It has been open to visitors since 1872, making it the third oldest zoo in the entire country. Some 600,000 people pass through its gates every year, and they're treated to an experience that is hard to top when it comes to the other zoos in New England. In addition to offering terrific animal exhibits, the Roger Williams Park Zoo also offers great onsite educational programs, many of which are tailor made for kids. On top of receiving recognition for its exhibits and its special educational programs, the Providence Rhode Island zoo is also heralded for its conservation efforts.

When visiting the main zoo in Rhode Island, you'll see an array of rare animal species that hail from the four corners of the planet. The animal exhibits here revolve around specific geographical locations, and you might start by heading over to the North America exhibit for a closer look at some of the creatures that call the continent home. You can view harbor seals through an underwater viewing window at the North America exhibit, admire majestic bald eagles, and visit with the polar bears, among other things. Penguins, American bison, and rare red wolves are just some of the other animals that call the North America area of the Roger Williams Park Zoo home. Over at the Africa exhibit, gawking at giraffes, being confounded by zebra stripes, and watching weighty elephants stomp around is just part of the overall experience.

Golden lion tamarins, mongoose lemurs, Asian black bears, and Matschie's Tree kangaroos are just some of the other fascinating creatures that you can see at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. There are around 130 different species of animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, many of which are rare, and all of which are fascinating. You can visit this wonderful zoo in Rhode Island any day of the year, save for major holidays, and it is open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Free parking is available and kids under the age of 3 get in for free. You can definitely spend at least a few hours at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, and there are two eateries here if you need to break for some food and refreshments. You'll find the Roger Williams Park Zoo within the boundaries of the Roger Williams Park, and you might be interested to know that the Museum of Natural History is close by. Pairing a visit to the zoo with a visit to this museum is an excellent idea if you have the time.

Should you be looking for another Rhode Island zoo to visit during your time in The Ocean State, the Regal Reptiles Adventure Center can also be found in Providence. Among the creatures that you can see at this reptile zoo are alligators, snakes, frogs, and an African Spur Thigh tortoise that weighs 85 pounds! The town of Tiverton, which is closer to Newport, is where you will find another unique zoo in Rhode Island. The Butterfly Zoo, which is a wonderful place to visit in the summertime, allows visitors to examine an array of butterfly species, and simply walking through the gardens is a joy in and of itself.